Churches to ‘change methods’

They would also offer a service online, probably by Facebook Live, Hatch said. ‘‘We want people to know that they’re connected and not cut off.’’

Hatch said the combined churches’ Good Friday service would be cancelled.

Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced outdoor events of 500 people or more would be cancelled. At 3.30pm yesterday, Health Minister David Clark said they were extending that to include indoor events of 100 people or more, apart from workplaces, schools, supermarkets or public transport.

Hatch said they had also cancelled the Superkids Holiday Programme for the first time in 20 years.

Before this announcement, Hatch said he had been quizzed around the wording of ‘‘all nonessential meetings’’, and whether that meant Church was nonessential.

‘‘Church is very essential, it’s just how we do it that’s going to change. It’s not the principle that changes, it’s the method.’’

Star of the Sea Catholic Church acting parish priest Pat Mcindoe said it was likely the larger services at St Mary’s Church in Blenheim would be cancelled. The Saturday night service usually drew a crowd of 140 people, and Sunday morning was about 240, he said.

Services at other communities in the parish, including Picton, Kaiko¯ ura, Havelock and Seddon were expected to continue.

They would discuss the details today, he said. ‘‘I think we have to protect people from the risk but also we will be trying to encourage people and give them strength because it’s going to be a hard road ahead,’’ Mcindoe said.

C3 Blenheim church pastor Liz Connor said as they were under 100, they would continue meeting on Sundays.

Earlier, churches in Marlborough said they were rolling out ‘‘safety procedures’’ and making contingency plans to allow masses to go ahead amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

Holy Water had been emptied, the shared chalice was out, and they planned to serve communion in the hand rather than on the tongue at Star of the Sea Catholic Church.

It came as churches around New Zealand changed the way they were worshipping after it emerged that the sixth coronavirus case in New Zealand shared communion with others in south Auckland.